The multilingual site, currently in Thai, Khmer and English, lists a directory of people working in the field in different parts of Asia, and describes what it is like to be caught up in trafficking.

It highlights the case of men taken onto fishing boats in Thailand who live in appalling conditions, and receive no pay.

They live under threat of execution - anyone who complains risks being shot, or thrown overboard. They work 24 hours a day and rarely come ashore.

The website relates the story of two brothers who were sold into virtual slavery for $150 each.

While young women forced into prostitution are often the focus for anti-trafficking campaigners, the crime applies to any use of labour where people are coerced by threats or the use of force.

Net's Asian popularity

James Klein from the organisation which set up the website, the Asia Foundation, said is designed to raise awareness of trafficking and allow for information to be shared about the problem.

"Ten years ago, this wouldn't have been the answer. But now, throughout Asia, the internet is big - even in countries like Cambodia.

"Therefore, if you're really trying to communicate across borders, the easiest and the least expensive way for this to happen is over the internet," he said.

Mr Klein said there were plans to split the site into public and private fields. In this way, fieldworkers can share sensitive information over the web, without it falling into the hands of traffickers.

For example, he said, "a raid might happen here in Bangkok, and a group of Cambodian girls found. Those names could be transferred to the appropriate people, whether they be officials or non-government agencies in Cambodia, and plans made to transport them back, and return them to the general population."

In many cases, however, it is clear that officials become complicit in trafficking.

Dr Klein said the website could help to combat that with its directory, which lists tested and trusted officials in countries which have a record of helping victims.

Finally, officials in Cambodia and Thailand are starting to recognise victims of trafficking as such, rather than as illegal migrants, says the Asia Foundation.

According to Dr Klein, "the number one issue remains changing attitudes of people, so they know what trafficking is, and apply procedures accordingly."

The hope is that Tipinasia.info might encourage more people with power to do that.